Desmond Choo
Singapore
“Through these expanded volunteer networks, we are building something more than a collection of programmes. We are strengthening a culture, a culture where service is valued, where sacrifice is understood and where defence is embraced as a shared mission. We are strengthening the very foundation of our national defence.”
“Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Prime Minister for his Ministerial Statement. The Labour Movement has surveyed our unionists. They are rightly worried about growth issues, loss of jobs and cost of living, but they have also expressed confidence that the People's Action Party Government will stay us through these difficult times.”
“Chairman, I would like to thank Minister Tan See Leng, Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State Zaqy and Minister of State Gan Siow Huang for their comprehensive responses and driving policy changes; and also Permanent Secretaries Ng Chee Khern, Jeffrey Siow, and their team of MOM officers, for their dedication in b…”
“Mr Chairman, just two clarifications. One, why is the Ministry raising the S Pass qualifying salary despite the labour market being already quite tight and the potential economic headwinds? What is the expected impact on the local workforce's wages?”
“Chairman, we have seen a surge in overseas travel as Singaporeans continue to embrace travelling in the new post-pandemic norm. Singaporeans are no longer sticking to the usual destinations but, increasingly, also to less-travelled destinations.”
“Since our Independence, Singapore has maintained the importance of capacity-building as a pillar of regional cooperation. In 1992, the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) was established in our effort to pay forward the help we received in our formative years. It serves as a platform to provide technical assistance to the world.”
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“I quote, "Our analysis springs from the observation – supported by considerable microeconomic evidence – that women and men bring different skills and perspectives to the workplace, including different attitudes to risk and collaboration. Studies have also shown that the financial performance of firms improves with more gender-equal corporate boards…. our evidence – from macroeconomic, sectoral and firm-level data – shows that women and men complement each other in the production process, creating an additional benefit from increasing women's employment on growth." Therefore, the key benefits from narrowing gender wage gaps are: first, a bigger boost to growth; second, higher productivity; and third, a more equal and inclusive society. There are structural issues to tackle: first, HR, and how we grade women who are out on maternity. A working mother would be entitled to up to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave. But oftentimes, in some organisations, they might be graded on the same 12 months as any other colleagues. This meant that from a work output perspective, the women on maternity leave are already at a disadvantage. Companies would argue that it would only be fair to the other colleagues who picked up the slack. But this also meant that good talent on maternity would not be given a level playing field to progress as progression are usually based on consistency of better graded performances. This has perhaps contributed to a lack of women in senior leadership positions over time. Second, we see a persistent lack of women at the top leadership positions. Perhaps having a more diverse leadership might provide for better gender-neutral policies.”
“We also hope that young Singaporeans in their first or second career can also have such opportunities. Especially those in their early 20s, there is still sufficient runway for an internship. However, the resources available to them are limited. Those Singaporeans who have graduated are dependent on their companies for overseas exposure. Can the Government provide a one-stop centre and perhaps subsidies for younger Singaporeans to explore careers in Asia, especially Southeast Asia? Next, let me discuss on the gender wage gap. It is not a common Budget Debate topic. But first, it is an important issue and second, there are opportunities afforded from the COVID-19 outbreak. MOM did a study not too long ago and found that women in Singapore are earning less than men today and the gap has grown slightly from 16% in 2002 to 16.3% in 2018. The adjusted gender pay gap was 6% in 2018. The main adjustment was for occupational differences. Yet, it still runs counter to the principle that all things being equal, men and women must obtain the same pay if they are doing the same job with similar outcomes. We acknowledge that there has been progress. And we also acknowledge that absolute gender parity in job outcomes is not necessarily a normative ideal. But there is immense value to pursue the economic outcomes of greater equality, besides addressing the social issues and the values that we engender as a nation. Indeed, there are benefits for greater women participation at all levels. In an IMF blog piece by Christine Lagarde and Johnathan Ostry on 28 November 2018, their conclusion was gender diversity matters.”
“Budget 2020 will help SEPs as every Singaporean 21 years old and above will get cash support, SkillsFuture Credit and targeted support for tourism-related industries. But most of the Budget 2020 measures are channelled through companies, and our SEPs might not be helped. They also have limited medical and training support except those provided via SkillsFuture. Those dependent on platforms, such as Grab food delivery riders, have an imbalance of bargaining powers. We often hear of adjustments to incentive structures unilaterally without consultation with SEPs. This would probably not have happened, or to a lesser extent, in a typical employer-employee structure. The way forward is not one of absolute parity with traditional employees. SEPs do treasure the flexibility of contract work. Thus, there must be some tradeoffs. It is one of having better balance of bargaining powers, especially for those working with larger entities, such as the platform companies. There are two possible approaches. One, to allow for greater union representation. And two, to classify SEPs within a limited definition, especially the platform workers, as workers defined by the Employment Act. Both of these approaches are not without their limitation but it certainly betters the lot of the SEPs. Their ranks will certainly increase over time. I hope that the Ministry can also consider providing greater support for SEPs in the second phase of COVID-19 support, if ever one is needed. Next, on the unmet needs of the younger workforce. Our Young NTUC survey showed that younger Singaporeans are keen to develop themselves overseas. The Asia Ready Exposure Programme in Budget 2020 would greatly help our students to pick up those valuable experiences while still in school.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join in the Debate. Budget 2020 is empathetic and bold. Measures, such as the Job Support Scheme and the Wage Credit Scheme, will reassure workers that the Government is helping to secure jobs. Amidst the immediate needs to mitigate against the adverse impact of COVID-19 outbreak, it is easy to lose sight of our longer-term imperatives. It is understandable as immediate survival is key. I would like to ask the Minister how do we continue to grow our economy and create good jobs for all Singaporeans even as we battle the outbreak. This outbreak has also highlighted the problems of being dependent on a large economy or being interconnected with multiple economies. Do we now need to re-examine our strategies and adjust course, rather than doing more of the same? With its obvious focus on the COVID-19 economic fallout, how are we still ensuring that we are funding our social strategies in education, healthcare and housing to ensure equal opportunities for all? It is critical that we need to stay true to what has made Singapore successful – equal opportunities for all Singaporeans. Being a comprehensive Budget, it would almost be nitpicking to find gaps. I would like to find some time on three other issues: needs of the self-employed persons, unmet needs of the younger workforce and the longer-term workforce gender disparity issue. The COVID-19 outbreak highlights the precarious situation of Self-Employed Persons (SEPs). Many SEPs were and still are adversely affected, not only those in the hospitality-related industries but also those in the creative, events, sporting, outdoor learning and transport industries.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his clarification and reassurance that workers should be taken care of. I have three points for clarification. The first is on the packages of support for affected workers. It has been very warmly received by our workers in the transport sector, especially our taxi drivers. We do expect some impact on the manufacturing sector. Would there be support for this group of workers with some immediacy? The second one is on the delays in new investments. With the current situation in China and regional areas, do we expect new investments in Singapore to be delayed? While they are not going to be cancelled, but do we expect the delays resulting in job creation, only coming down, further down the line, rather than in the coming few months? The third one is that with the Singapore dollar easing and with exports of materials coming slower from China, do we expect then to have some inflationary pressure in the coming few months?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his clarification. I have two points. One, increasingly, Singaporeans would need to travel to seek employment opportunities outside of Singapore. How prepared are we to allow Singaporeans who are bankrupts to make regular travels so that they can establish a career and so that they can eventually pay off their debts? The second point is, as we head towards economic uncertainty, how flexible is the system to prevent more Singaporeans who get into bankruptcy or to get out of bankruptcy faster, so that they can latch on to better opportunities?”
“I encourage the Government to continue to maintain this signal. I also agree with Member Saktiandi Supaat that inclusive and exemplary companies should be rewarded in access to grants and support. Perhaps, the Ministry can also consider granting exemplary companies with administrative green lanes and longer leases perhaps to show the Government's commitment to building an inclusive workforce. The difficulties in building an inclusive workforce with a strong Singaporean Core have multiplied because of rapid economic changes and our ageing workforce. An inclusive workforce can, in fact, be a competitive workforce. No one will doubt that professional team sports are one of the most ruthlessly competitive industries in the world. Yet, many athletes are playing well into their late 30s and 40s now. Some of them are hired specifically for their experience and locker room influence for the younger players. The Chinese have a saying, "上有政策，下有对策“。It roughly translates to, "For every policy, there is a counter move." Therefore, the way ahead is not one necessarily of more legislation. It is one whereby we affirm that every worker matters through trust and true belief amongst workers, employers and the Government. I support the Motion.”
“In fact, evidence are largely based on circumstantial observations. For example, if a company lets go of an older worker and subsequently hires a younger one subsequently three to six months down the road, it is difficult to prove a case of ageism. But that is with a longitudinal analysis of a company's practices that can surface discriminatory hiring or employment practices. Would the Ministry consider doing such studies? I think these studies will also show up companies that had consistently favoured foreign workers over local talent. The Labour Movement will certainly be keen to support such a study. Third, we need to correct the unintended ageism at the workplace. Many employers hire younger workers simply because they are cheaper, or have higher learning abilities or a longer runway. In fact, this is not true. Learning ability is as much a capability as a skill that is honed over time. And there is no runway to speak of if your younger worker who tends to change job every two to three years. We need to debunk these myths. We cannot legislate away the myths, but we can educate. And that is where the tripartism way of improving capabilities of our HR professionals is paramount. Our goal in building the Singapore workforce is clear – one that is inclusive and built upon a strong Singaporean Core. Confronting ageism and building a strong Singaporean Core must be the aim of all companies and agencies. It need not always be the stick, like Member Mr Saktiandi Supaat has said. We must also reward companies for being aligned to the national mission. The Special Employment Credit is an important economic and policy signal that there is value to hiring older workers beyond what is perceived at face value by companies.”
“Before we discuss the possible approaches, we must note two issues. The employment rates for our older workers have been trending upwards better than many developed countries. This is good progress and we must persist in this effort. Second, interventions should not result in undue deadweight compliance costs without overriding benefits to the older workers. For example, many pieces of legislation introduced overseas have not resulted in tangible benefits. The question is how do we protect workers from age discrimination without unintentionally making them less attractive to hire? How does Singapore continue to be pro-business and pro-worker at the same time? I would like to offer a couple of suggestions. For the egregious cases where TAFEP and MOM have clear evidence of errant practices, would the Ministry consider publicly naming these companies? I understand the intent of the Fair Consideration Framework is to improve HR practices. But there could be alternatives to finetune the process. For example, the Singapore Police Force publishes the three-year grading for the security agencies annually. The security agencies would, therefore, work very hard to improve their processes. Perhaps MOM can publish the egregious ones and publicly track them for a certain period of time. Companies must also know that while we offer second chances, we will also not hesitate to take tougher measures if you are recalcitrant. To paraphrase Lord Hewart CJ, "justice must be done and seen to be done." Our workers must know that we have been standing up for them and justice will be brought to bear on bad employers. And if you have improved, it would also be reflected transparently. Second, age discrimination is rarely blatant.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join in this Adjournment Motion. I agree with the Member Mr Saktiandi Supaat that age discrimination or ageism is an issue we have to watch closely. It should have no place in an ageing workforce like ours but, unfortunately, it exists and makes our society less inclusive than it should be. However, like he also rightly pointed out, there are no silver bullet solutions. Based on my ground experience in the Labour Movement, age discrimination can take two forms. First, the intentional variant, employers hire younger workers at the expense of older workers even though they could be equal or even surpass the younger workers in capabilities. These employers can be quite artful in rejecting candidates at the pre-hiring stage. When already in employment, they might let go of workers through undeserved performance mark-downs; or making work assignments unduly difficult; or to offer workers a "rock or a hard place" job option at re-employment as a subtle way of signalling "perhaps, you should go". These are the egregious cases where the errant employers must be taken to task. The second variant is unintentional. For example, preferring younger workers presumably because they have fewer medical problems or a longer career runway. Or allowing unkind age-related remarks to go unaddressed at workplaces. Or some advertisements that are discriminatory without intending to do so. For example, there are some advertisements seeking to hire digital natives. That would clearly exclude me, in my 40s, because I was born in the age of mainframes and typewriters in the 1970s. While I am not a digital native, I can pick up the digital skills to be a digital migrant. Both of these variants clearly require quite different approaches.”
“Should there be a limit to the CRI to not only individuals but also organisations on how many times they can participate in it? Next, it is encouraging to note that our youths clearly care about religious harmony. It was nearly unanimous among the 18- to 25-year-old Singaporean respondents in the same survey that it was either unacceptable or very unacceptable for religious leaders to make insensitive comments on other religions. In addition, 97.2% of those in this age group felt that it was either unacceptable or very unacceptable for religious leaders to incite violence or hatred against other religions. However, the very same younger netizens might also guard online spaces more vigorously through accepting views of different nature, even though these views might seem offensive to some. How can we better bring about awareness amongst our youths that while people can express their views, they should also be cognisant that some discourses should not be accorded a platform, especially in multiracial and multi-religious Singapore, that the enhancement of this Act is not the restriction of what they can say, but it is for the pursuit of higher ideals? “Regardless of race, language or religion” cannot be words recited daily in our National Pledge for a brief moment in the morning and then conveniently ignored for the remainder of the day. Let us always remember that Singapore worked hard to lay the foundation for religious harmony and maintain it over the years. We did not achieve this by accident. The timely changes to this Act are welcomed as they deal with the nuanced, complex trends in this world today. With this, I support the Bill.”
“The worldwide ripples of these incidents have vividly underscored the sensitivity of religious issues in the global village. It is even more critical now, compared to 50 over years ago, and Singapore must safeguard itself against these changes. I do have a couple of clarifications on the Bill. First, the distinction between private and public speech and foreign interference. Under section 17F, if a religious leader is accused of inciting religious hatred or ill-will, he would be able to defend himself by proving his message was meant only for a domestic gathering and that he could not have anticipated that it would reach unintended audiences. However, this is potentially problematic. Incitement, unlike insult, can cause serious harm even if the leader's words are heard only by a small circle. If someone had secretly videotaped the speech and then propagate it, the harm would still have been done. The speaker must still be as culpable as the propagator because he had spoken the words. Next, the CRI is laudable. It matters because when everything is viewed starkly in black and white and no one is given the chance to make amends, mistrust flourishes. It splits communities down religious fault lines even more starkly than ever. Once communities are divided in this way, tensions will spill over quickly. The connection between religious tolerance and stable societies is clear. However, the question remains: how many times will we allow a person who makes religiously intolerant comments to participate in this initiative? Even though inflammatory comments can be removed online, this digital age ensures that the impact is immediate and long lasting. Nothing is really quite forgotten. The damage is done.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in October 1965, Mr William Cheng, Principal Assistant Secretary of Administration of the Ministry of Education (MOE) mooted the idea of a pledge. It was meant to inculcate national consciousness and patriotism in schools. The then Minister for Education, Mr Ong Pang Boon, sent two drafts worked out by his Ministry's staff to the late Mr S Rajaratnam, then Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr Rajaratnam believed that language, race and religion were potentially divisive factors, and the pledge emphasised that these differences could be overcome if we stay united as a country. He believed that the pledge emerged against the backdrop of a struggle to forge a sense of nationhood and to build “a Singapore we are proud of”. More than 50 years after our pledge was written, in Singapore's very first study by the Institute of Policy Studies and OnePeople.sg on the state of racial relations, four out of 10 Singaporeans said that they decide what a person's behaviour and views will be like based on their race even before they interact with them. Every now and then, in the papers, things happen that reflect very vividly the complexities of race and religious tensions in Singapore. The changes to MRHA are timely as they deal with the complex trends the world and Singapore are currently facing. The rolling news flows in the global village have given race and religious phenomena increased visibility and potency. Our people are not immune from that. For example, attacks against Christians in Pakistan or against Muslims in India, new incidents of anti-Semitism in Western Europe and hate crimes against Muslims in the US or Europe immediately take on a global dimension.”
“Furthermore, section 12(1)/(2) and section 20(1) make reference to the thresholds which the Minister may prescribe for regulated consumer products and packaging respectively. Can we have clarification on how the "prescribed threshold" will be determined? What are the criteria and how will these be determined? As mentioned by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech, whilst we may not be able to halt climate change by ourselves, we all need to do our part to contribute to the global effort. Let us continue to strive for sustainability, not only because of the world we wish our future generations to inherit, but because we believe we stand to reap the rewards for doing so in a very tangible way. The Singapore Story is testament to our belief that economic growth and sustainability are themselves not mutually exclusive but are instead mutually reinforcing and beneficial. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Specifically, should there be extensions and/or staggering of timelines to encourage compliance by companies and time for workers to adapt? Do we expect to provide time also for workers to take on the necessary training? We should aim to enable workers to keep their jobs while ensuring that this process continues. In addition, we also cannot leave our SMEs behind. Can more assistance be provided to the smaller ones which might struggle to afford the resources for compliance? Could grants be provided to smaller companies to help them comply? The Labour Movement will support workers through this transition. It is prepared to work with the Ministry to help our workers and companies adapt to this change. I have some technical points of clarification that I would like to seek from the Minister. First, section 7(3) appears to exempt any manufacturer of regulated products from being considered as "producers" and, therefore, subject to registration and/or licensed scheme requirements, if the regulated product was manufactured “for or on behalf of” a "Singapore-connected person". Section 19(2) is similar in the context of the use of "specified packaging". What examples are envisaged by this exemption? How would we know whether a manufacturer of a regulated product would specifically be manufacturing the product “for or on behalf of a Singapore-connected person”? Are there estimates as to how many companies could feasibly take shelter under this exemption? On the face of it, it appears that many products supplied and manufactured in Singapore would generally be manufactured for or on behalf of Singapore-connected persons, that is, Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents or companies with a Singapore connection.”
“The Resource Sustainability Bill is a good attempt to create a long-term solution to complement individual efforts in the 3Rs by placing more responsibility on businesses and producers in the supply chain to reduce, reuse and recycle. This aim is also in line with the Government’s international obligations and reflects our support for the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals which were adopted in 2015. The Bill could also positively impact workers in providing new avenues for job creation. For example, more jobs would be created in supply chain management; or specialist fields, for instance, innovation and engineering, in streamlining waste disposal, recycling processes and optimising packaging designs of products. The next generation of our younger Singaporeans entering the workforce will also have very exciting opportunities to play an integral part in the national effort to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Labour Movement is currently working with the tripartite partners to support our workers and young Singaporeans by ensuring skills acquisition training for new entrants and existing workers in the Environmental Services field. However, we note that this Bill could also affect businesses negatively through changes to existing jobs and companies' processes. In the short term, companies could face increased compliance costs. This could be especially challenging in today’s global economy. This could potentially translate to cost-cutting measures felt by workers or consumers. In the longer term, companies may have to restructure their internal processes to reduce costs and promote innovation and sustainability. So, I would like to check with the Minister how will the Ministry support businesses and workers through these short-term and long-term changes.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Singapore has had a long-standing commitment to sustainability. In fact, our journey towards sustainability started in the 1960s, when our late Mr Lee Kuan Yew laid down the foundations for a clean and green Singapore, even before it was trendy to be green. Even as we grappled with a fledgling economy and uncertain times, we consciously moved towards cleaner sources of energy, dedicated our resources to cleaning up our major waterways, as well as growing our Garden City. We must continue this legacy. Sustainability is anchored in our ability to identify solutions that creatively minimise the tradeoffs we have to make and yet allow us to achieve longer-term goals in multiple domains. In Singapore, it is a commitment to balanced growth that benefits both the current and future generations, as well as a commitment to creating a high-quality living environment. Often, such sustainability solutions require that we are able to see different seemingly disjointed parts of our economy and society function as part of an integrated, interconnected ecosystem. Therefore, changes to the law to better manage how Singapore handles waste and to help businesses that reduce and recycle electronic waste, packaging waste and food leftovers are a good first step. Singapore is particularly vulnerable to global disruptions caused by climate change. The Amazon, a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming, has seen more than 80,000 fires break out so far this year. It is a 77% rise, compared to the same period in 2018. A change in weather patterns likely contributed to this. Urgent action is, therefore, needed. While we cannot solve the Amazon problem, we can and still must play our part here in Singapore.”
“The extension of the protection from 16 to 18 years old and greater support to caregivers are positive steps to creating a kinder and more supportive environment. Notwithstanding the clarifications, I support the Bill.”
“As we note this important progression in this Bill, let us also not forget to continue to work towards helping our unwed mothers. In 2013, the Labour Movement advocated for the Government to accord the same level of benefits that married mothers get to unwed mothers. In 2017, the Government announced that unwed mothers would be entitled to the same maternity leave, childcare and infant leave as married parents, and enjoy Child Development Co-Savings Act benefits. Yet, more can be done for them. First, we should revisit allowing unwed mothers to purchase Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats before 35 years old. Housing is a practical issue that families must deal with. Currently, unwed mothers can only buy their own HDB flats if they are 35 years old and above, under the Singles Scheme. This means that unwed mothers will have to rent a place if they are not living with their family or relatives, increasing the cost burden on such families, on top of the cost of raising children. Can we reconsider this fundamental need for lodging as they are often younger, and allow concession in consideration of their plight and circumstances, to purchase a flat even before the mother turns 35? Second, there should be tax relief for unwed mothers and foster parents, such as Working Mother's Child Relief and Grandparent Caregiver Relief. Today, unwed mothers are not eligible for such relief. Since they also work productively, providing to society, there seem to be reasons for them to be included for such reliefs as well. We must protect our children. They need to be given opportunities to learn to express themselves, to make responsible decisions, and to participate in processes that affect their well-being and their future, according to their age and maturity.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, all Singaporean sons and daughters should have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their origins and birth. It should be an inalienable right of every Singaporean baby. Yet, for some children, they are not exactly equals because of family circumstances. For example, children under the care of foster parents or unwed mothers. Singapore needs to keep reviewing its policies to support people and families in different circumstances. Over the years, we have made headway in supporting them. Now, all mothers are given the 16-week maternity leave, as well as a Child Development Account. These enhancements show that the Government is prepared to make changes to support our young families, regardless of the constitution of their families. The move to support foster parents is another positive evolution. Foster parents are important in the network of support for vulnerable children. They are no different from the children's natural parents in having to balance their careers and families. The extension of childcare leave benefits to foster parents to help them care for their foster children who may have been abused, neglected or abandoned recognises the contribution of foster parents and allows for time and flexibility to care for foster children. I would like to seek clarification on another group of caregivers involved in childcaring, which are the kin-carers. It is not uncommon for the next of kin to take care of children neglected or abandoned by parents, or if there is a sudden bereavement. Will these kin-carers also be covered in the Bill? The Labour Movement has been a strong advocate to improve support given to families. We are happy that the Government has responded to the call over the years and have now progressed to the foster parents.”
“I thank the Minister for her reply. I have two clarifications. One, in the event of a long and prolonged slowdown whereby jobs are lost, what are the levers that the Ministry is prepared to consider, including reducing the foreign manpower quota? Two, what are the supports given to the vulnerable workers, especially those who are older and might find it harder to transit to another growth industry?”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his response. I would like to check, for MHA, during such times whereby the resources are very stretched to manage multiple civil unrests, how can the public then work with the Home Team to make sure that the Home Team's major incident response capabilities can be maintained and that we are vigilant in order to address any new situations?”
“First, why is this new section needed instead of strengthening, for example, the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289)? Second, the need for strong deterrence for financial manipulation is abundantly clear – the immense financial windfall breeds greed and might destabilise financial systems. Noting that the penalty is heavy compared to existing cheating offences, how is our regime compared with those of foreign legislation? Were there previous cases in Singapore in recent years where we were unable to prosecute the perpetrator because there was no equivalent of a section 424A? According to section 424A(2), the new section 424A also does not require any of the three subsections, namely, section 424A(1)(a), (1)(b) and (1)(c) to be material for the offence to be made out. Because the subsections need not have to be material and presumably more situations might be investigated under section 424A, under what circumstances does MHA envisage that such a piece of legislation would be used? Third, what is the likely impact on the compliance requirements of our financial institutions upon the passing of this law? Notwithstanding the above clarifications, I believe that this enhanced Penal Code will empower our law enforcers to protect us better. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“At the same time, can I clarify with the Minister that victims can still have their cases investigated if the videos were distributed prior to the passing of the law but still found on different websites after the passing of this law? Would the Police have the powers to compel the owners of these sites to remove such voyeuristic materials? In addition, would private investigators also be prevented from taking such private videos even though it is presumably required in the course of their work? As part of the amendments, the Bill also seeks to address the broad adverse impact from computer trading on the financial systems. Because of the speed of trades, malicious and rogue traders can make a lot of money in a short span of time. They can also cause lasting damage and collapse financial systems. Specifically, MHA has introduced section 424A and section 424B to tackle situations, such as the London Whale case involving J P Morgan or the Manipulation of the LIBOR in 2012 involving multiple banks. These amendments are important because of the growing number of financial fraud cases and the sophistication of the rogue traders. While I support the new sections to combat financial fraud, I have a few clarifications for the Minister. Under the new section 424A, the penalty of imprisonment up to 20 years is twice as heavy as the current section 420 offence of cheating. The latter requires that there must be wrongful loss or that there is a clear victim but not the new section. While I note the need for a strong deterrence, can the Minister clarify why no victim is required as compared to the existing cheating offences? I would also like to seek the Minister's clarification on the following.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, this review of the Penal Code is timely and addresses many of the evolving societal concerns and new crime trends that warrant enforcement. For example, the repeal for the immunity for marital rape restores dignity to women who suffered but were not accorded due justice. Decriminalising attempted suicide while ensuring similar powers to require treatment marks a good balance between legislative powers and rehabilitation. I remember rather vividly, as a young Police officer, I had to serve a warning to a young lady, paralysed from waist down, whose injuries were as a result of a failed suicide attempt. It felt unnecessary and discomforting then. Similarly, legislation against voyeuristic activities and revenge pornography reflects the tighter legislation needed for the digital age. Very frequently, our aged laws are not able to protect victims as technology progresses much faster than legislation. Our law enforcement officers are often left with a patchwork of legislation across different statutes, stewing in their frustration to restore justice. Left unaddressed, the digital world is no different from a crime-ridden ghetto where self-branded vigilantes prevailed and whose very inhabitants in this ghetto are also intimidated by these self-branded cops. This set of Penal Code amendments will restore order and justice for many victims. Technological advancements meant that voyeurs are having their field days. Armed with advanced zoom cameras, smartphones and insidious spying instruments, voyeurs make the world a very unsafe place, especially for women. Not only do they not stop at filming or taking photos of very private moments, but they go on to upload and distribute on the Internet. This is deplorable. I support this amendment.”
“Netherlands' WUR and its impact on agricultural innovation suggest that we need to invest in our local academia. We need to marry the science with the market. How does the Ministry plan to jumpstart and develop this field in the Institutes of Higher Learning? Even as we grow the local content of our production, our legislation must be kept market-friendly without compromising our food safety. The food supply chain is fraught with risks. From cultivation and harvesting, things can easily go wrong. How does the Ministry ensure that food safety is maintained throughout the supply chain and that effective cold chain is in place? How does it also ensure they monitor compliance cost keenly to minimise regulatory costs?”
“How can the Ministry support the efforts of companies, such as FairPrice, to build our local production capacity? The quality of soil and climate used to determine agricultural yield. Now, a technologically driven ecosystem can level the playing field. For example, the Netherlands is small and densely populated. It does not have most of the resources necessary for large-scale agriculture. Yet, it is the globe's No 2 exporter of food measured by value, second only to the US. For a sense of its achievements, the US is 270 times its land mass. What Silicon Valley has done for the US' information technology (IT) industry, Food Valley has achieved the same for Dutch agriculture. Wageningen University and Research (WUR) is a crucible of innovative re-cultural developments, not unlike what the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni have done in the IT world. 5.30 pm While we might not be able to go to such a scale as the Dutch, we can be the crucible of change in development in our region. Its areas include R&D and logistics, urban farming, agriculture and aquaculture financing and insurance. We have done this water challenge. Our ambitions must now match the urgency and enormity of Singapore's food security challenge. If we can grow the industry, this will mean tremendous opportunities for the economy. What is the total economic value we can generate if we reach our target local production? How many and what types of jobs can we expect to create? We can only grow our agriculture industry if we have the right capital and political will. Viable businesses ultimately determine the sustainability of the industry. How can the Ministry ensure that there are sufficient capital and skilled manpower in the system to drive the growth of startups?”
“But only local production can protect us from short-term shocks and provide a measure of self-sufficiency. What is the Ministry's target of local production to imported food supplies over the next 10 to 30 years? Are we on our way to meeting this target? In the 1960s, agriculture accounted for 3% of our gross domestic product (GDP). Today, it no longer has a category of its own and accounts for less than 0.02% of our GDP. Has the Ministry set a target GDP rate? For us to succeed in this national mission, both businesses and consumers play critical roles. Locally produced food will generally cost more than imported ones. This is no different from the higher cost of water produced by distillation. Yet, if we do not see the value of food self-sufficiency as a national imperative, then there is no future for local production. For once, we have to literally drink and eat our way to security or disaster. Over the years, FairPrice has made it a critical mission to build an ecosystem to support local producers beyond moderating costs of food. First, it has committed to buying local. I understand that FairPrice carries close to 5,000 locally-produced items, accounting for about 20% of its total sales. In fact, 40% of the eggs sold are from our local farms. Buying "local" also meant that FairPrice has a stronger control over quality and safety from farms to dining table. This is good for consumers. They also started a small and medium size enterprise (SME) development and support programme to help 400 small companies and startups with their cash flow and development. It has committed to monthly "Made in Singapore" campaigns at its own costs. FairPrice cannot do it alone. It needs the Government, other companies and consumers to join in enhancing our food security.”
“Thank you. Sir, in food paradise Singapore where food of every conceivable cuisine and price is easily found, food security is hardly a heady Singaporean topic. Even the Economist Intelligence Unit Global Food Security Index seems to agree. We are rated as the most food secure in the world. We are even ahead of large agricultural nations, such as the US and Canada. But are we really food secure? According to the same Index, we are top chiefly because of affordability. Globally, we spend the lowest on food as a percentage of our household expenditure after the US. But there was a red flag. We import nearly 90% of what we eat. That makes us extremely susceptible to trade and supply chain disruptions from climate and political events. This vulnerability is beyond just food cost but also our survival. Food crises are not so distant in history. The last global food crisis was a decade ago. In 2014, when Malaysian eggs were found to have salmonella, egg prices rose quickly. Clearly, food resilience must be a core national focus. Can the Minister share what are the key traits and supply risks that Singapore faces? How have we been strengthening our food supplies in the face of geopolitical and economic developments? By 2050, the world's population is expected to hit 10 billion from the current 7.3 billion. If we do not increase our agricultural yields massively over the next 30 years, the world will simply be in an economic growth-driven famine. Singapore's competition for food will only be keener. How can we safeguard our future? It is mission-critical to increase the local content of our food supplies. We have diversified our food sources to manage our risk and food cost.”
“Sir, over the years, we have made headway in supporting our mothers and children from single-parent homes. Now, all mothers are given the 16-week maternity leave, as well as a Child Development Account. These enhancements show that the Government is prepared to make changes to support our young families. But because our single mothers also have less resources compared to a two-parent family, they would need more help. Many would have to work full-time. They face higher cost pressures in the child’s early years because infant care and childcare costs are higher than primary school fees. This is when the Baby Bonus cash gift is timely to provide better care for our children. Can MSF consider also extending the cash gift to our single mothers? In addition, even though many of our single mothers work, they do not enjoy parenthood tax rebates. These tax rebates can go a long way in meeting current needs and saving for future purposes. By providing the Baby Bonus cash gift and parenthood tax rebates, we are closer to being child-centric and more complete in our support to young families, regardless of family structures or circumstances. Working Elderly Singaporeans”
“Sir, workplace harassment can take various forms. It can range from insensitive comments from a colleague on a working mother's maternity leave to ageism, to abusive remarks by customers. It can happen to any worker, regardless of age, gender, race, industry or job function. Whatever the form and whoever the target, it causes distress and exerts an undue toll on our workers. It poisons our work environment. It has no place in our modern workplace. We must first improve the awareness among victims and provide channels for them to seek assistance. It is important that we educate both employers and employees on how to respond to workplace abuse and harassment. We must make unambiguous that there are clear lines that cannot be crossed. Can MOM update on the number of harassment cases that it addresses annually and what are the awareness efforts and measures to mitigate such cases? In addition, for those who might be affected by workplace harassment, we can consider counselling, especially for our frontline workers. For example, counselling was introduced in National University Hospital. It is a free and confidential service that has been very useful for the healthcare professionals who work in a high-stress environment amidst high service expectations by the public and patients. Such services can be useful to help employees cope with their workplace stresses better. Can the Ministry consider expanding such services to more companies as a form of Work Pro? Employment Support”
“Sir, in our mature developed economy, Singaporeans constantly seek new economic growth areas for a second wing of growth. Can MTI share what are the new economic growth areas that it is currently pursuing? With increased global demand for food, Singapore can capitalise on this trend even though we have limited production capacity. After all, we have the knack of turning a disadvantage into a strategic strength. We can use our investment and innovation infrastructure and regional hub status to boost efficiency, profitability and yield. I understand that ESG, through its investment arm, Seeds Capital, has channeled more than $90 million worth of investments into early-stage tech startups with food and agri-tech solutions. Can MTI update on the progress of such investments? How does the Ministry plan to continue to develop Singapore into an urban, agricultural and ecocultural technology hub? How can we better help Singaporeans who are interested in this sector?”
“In an increasingly complex operating terrain, we no longer have the monopoly of knowledge. Our officers often know what are the skills that they need to thrive in the environment. Will the Ministry consider setting up training committees comprising ground officers, senior management and headquarter staff in our various land divisions to explore new skills and new ways to train? Resourcing SPF's Manpower Appropriately”
“Sir, Singapore's declining birth rate and ageing population have and will place further manpower constraints on our Home Team. At the same time, our officers will encounter more complex and sophisticated cases while frontline officers, such as those in the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), will encounter heavier workloads and ever higher service expectations. Home Team Transformation 2025 was timely. Can the Minister update on the progress of the project, especially how it has impacted our ICA and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers? While technological changes have made law enforcement more complex for our Home Team officers, it also heralds the dawn of ever more effective officers. Law enforcement has evolved, from the physicality of beat patrolling to remote advanced monitoring and detection systems. Our older officers can be trained to take on different but equally productive work. How have we redesigned our jobs to take advantage of technology to help our officers to be productive even when they are older? How are we also reskilling our officers so that they can better utilise technology in their work? In the face of manpower constraints and increasing workloads, we must necessarily help officers to work better for longer. Law enforcement officers are like fine wine – they get better with age. Their legal knowledge and contextual experience are important in sniffing out suspicious cases. Many successful Police and ICA arrests are due to the skills of our officers built up over time. 4.30 pm The retirement age was revised in 2013. I encourage MHA to leverage assistive technology and changes in job scopes and law enforcement methodologies to extend the retirement and re-employment age of our Home Team officers.”
“How can we continue to meaningfully engage with the Arctic Council and the Arctic Council member states? Trade Liberalisation and Integration Assoc Prof Walter Theseira (Nominated Member): Mr Chairman, turmoil has engulfed the global trading system. Policies favouring trade liberalisation and economic integration are in dispute. Some of Singapore's key trading partners have voted for Governments and policies that are hostile to international trade and economic integration. Big countries are increasingly saying that to trade with them, it is "their way or the highway". These developments are a grave threat to a small country like Singapore, where trade is our lifeblood. Trade is about three times our GDP and has allowed us to thrive as an open economy. Chairman, the people worldwide who are voting against trade and integration are not doing so out of hatred or xenophobia. Americans and Europeans are doing so because they feel their jobs and ways of life are threatened by globalisation. Their heartlanders want to know how trade benefits them. Singapore is a staunch supporter of the open, rules-based multilateral trading system. But can we do more? How has Singapore addressed this growing backlash against trade and economic integration around the world? What can we do to uphold the open and rules-based multilateral trading system for the benefit of all? Benefits of CPTPP for Singapore”
“Sir, it is inconceivable to many people that Singapore has been an observer in the Arctic Council since 2013. We are, after all, more than 10,000 kilometres (km) away. Yet, whether it is melting ice caps and rising sea levels, or the possibility of a new trade route, distant Arctic developments affect our very shores. Can MFA explain how our observership in the Arctic Council contributes to our understanding of how developments in the Arctic impact Singapore? Can MFA update the House on Singapore’s response to rising sea levels and the possible opening up of the Northern Sea route? How should our businesses prepare themselves for the changes in the Arctic? We cannot watch from afar. We must do our part. We are global citizens after all and must seek to help where practicable. We are a small country with no natural resources, but have successfully harnessed technology, including sensors and automated meters, to fulfil our ambitions of becoming a smart city. Can we use Singapore’s home-grown innovations and leverage our smart-city experiences to contribute to the "Smart Arctic" within our networks? 1.45 pm The Arctic, with its unique nature and fragile ecosystems, is an important indicator of the planet's health. The Arctic has been warming at twice the rate as any other place in the world. Can our academia also contribute to the body of research to inform global intervention? That we are 10,000 km away from the Arctic should not stop us from doing our part in the tropics. It is a connected world after all, and we can help to drive sustainable practices through regional forums, such as ASEAN. Going ahead, how can we facilitate more regional understanding of the Arctic concerns?”
“We need to ensure that we enrich our Cyber NSFs training, such as providing for a stronger nexus with the startup sector. With this, we can build up dynamic and sustainable cyber capabilities that will protect Singapore at all times. Defence Spending”
“Preventing sophisticated cyberattacks by malicious parties is now a critical mission for both governments and companies globally. Yet, nearly every country in the world lacks cybersecurity talent. Singapore needs all hands on deck. Recognising the need for individuals to play their part, a new "digital defence" pillar has been added to Singapore's Total Defence framework. 6.00 pm Our young digital native Singaporeans are well-placed to protect our nation in cyberspace. Therefore, the Cyber Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) Scheme is an important foundational initiative. Could MINDEF provide an update of the Cyber NSF Scheme? How will we ensure that our NSFs' expertise is constantly updated and deepened? We must also collaborate with the private sector to keep up with evolving technologies and be updated to the ceaseless cyber threats. The continual development of cyber defence expertise must go beyond just having the Cyber NSF Scheme. We must also continue to develop them when they reach the Operationally Ready Date (ORD). What are MINDEF's plans to build a strong reservist corp of Cyber NSmen? In fact, I encourage MINDEF to consider developing a Cyber NSmen Scheme. There are already many NSmen in the IT industry with deep cybersecurity expertise. Some of them are highly-skilled operators while others are already IT industry captains. Our Cyber NSFs can form the foundation of this Cyber NSmen Scheme. The Israeli Defence Forces' Unit 8200 has reportedly had many of its servicemen gone on to build many top IT companies. Similarly, our Cyber NSFs can go on to have such impact and help to build up the tech expertise in the private sector. This spreads talent in a manpower-scarce Singapore.”
“This can provide real impetus in socialising FWA and better support our families, especially our women workers.”
“Our young Singaporeans are sandwiched in caring for young children and elderly parents. The Government has been providing support to such families. Can the Minister update on further progress and what more will the Ministry be doing? Demographic trends necessitate changes to how young families are supported at the workplaces. One, with smaller family sizes, our younger Singaporeans need to care for both their children and parents. It is common to easily spend more than a day away from work to bring an older parent for medical check-up. The same applies for an ill child. Thus, Family Care Leave is important to our workers, especially those whose children are older than seven. The fungibility in using the leave provides more flexibility for workers. Can the Government consider having the Public Service to take the lead in providing family care leave for all public servants as a start? Second, we need to help our young Singaporean parents better manage the cost of infant care and full-day childcare. Couples are spending, on average, $1,495 on full-day infant care monthly. Those who qualify for $600 subsidy still need to fork out about $900 a month for infant care. This can be quite taxing. Similarly, Singapore Citizens are eligible for a basic subsidy of up to $300 for childcare per month. This was implemented in 2008. Since 2001, the childcare operators have raised their median fees by 22%. Lastly, FWAs are crucial to support families. While many companies today offer FWAs, it has not been socialised into a societal norm like the Nordic countries. We need to take decisive action to make FWA pervasive. Can we introduce the right to FWA? This makes starting FWA conversations easier for workers. We can start with the larger companies.”
“Perhaps, we can also offer these to workers looking for career resilience and changes in modular fashion. Creating a culture of reskilling is not just a government's duty but the duty of unions, employers and the Government. Learning agility is the key to building a modern workforce capable of navigating and leveraging opportunities arising from disruptions. Every Worker Matters in Singapore. And the Labour Movement will continue to do its part to make it real for workers. Mr Speaker, I support the Budget.”
“He also said, "It took me a long time to finally get a placement at Ngee Ann Polytechnic to study nursing. But unfortunately, I do not come from a well-to-do family. My father is semi-retired and my mother is a homemaker. I do not behold high hopes in life. I will be gratified enough to be a nurse. But the cost of $60,000, I believe, is too difficult for me to manage. At the end, I do have some savings to tide myself through, but it is not enough for three years. However, I ain't giving up. Thus, I am seeking all forms of assistance which I can possibly conquer. This is possibly my last chance, and I am thoroughly sincere in becoming a qualified nurse." While this is one appeal, there might be many other people in similar circumstances in different fields. We hope that more can be done for them. It entails expanding the number of PCP places by helping our Singaporean workers, especially younger ones, to obtain a second National ITE Certificate (Nitec), a diploma or degree that will help them better adjust to structural economic changes. It will also allow workers to discover new career choices instead of those predetermined in the earlier years. Returning to school for career switch can be socialised as a mainstream norm. Workers require more support when they leave their jobs to expand their options on reskilling. Similar training allowances, such as those for PCPs, can be provided to them while they pick up their second qualification. Perhaps, along the lines of Workfare Incentive Scheme, we can think about it as a Reskilling Incentive Scheme. Our polytechnics are also introducing more Common Entry Programmes in Business, and Information and Digital Technologies (IDT) clusters. This streamlining of courses allows for over-specificity early in life.”
“In fact, the majority would need to obtain additional skills or qualifications to progress within their specific industry or to switch to another industry. Yet, this process is not easy, as my fellow Labour Member of Parliament Mr Melvin Yong had shared. Many workers have significant financial and family commitments. Retraining incurs costs and loss of income. Therefore, many workers choose to put off picking up another skill or qualification for as long as they can. The PCPs and CSPs have helped to provide these bridges. The combination of course subsidies and training allowances have lowered the barriers to career conversion. Yet, the limited number of PCP and Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) places meant that many workers would have to pay full unsubsidised fees, and some workers might not qualify for the PCPs and might need a longer time for them to qualify or succeed. Recently, a 33-year-old resident staying in Tampines sought assistance from me. He has been working since graduating with a diploma in business in 2007. In his own words, he wrote to me, he said, "I had no idea what I wanted to do after my GCE "O" level. Thus, I embarked on something very corporate. So, I did a diploma in business." He worked in a corporate function, and his job was in a polyclinic where he was inspired to become a nurse. After trying for two years, he finally obtained a place in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Yet, he is unable to secure a tuition grant because he has already obtained a previous diploma in 2007. His school fees will amount to $21,000 per year which he cannot pay. He said, "I do have some savings, but it is not enough for three years." Yet, he still has a burning desire to serve the community.”
“How do we make it easier for people to move out of Singapore, explore the world, and open more gateways for themselves and fellow Singaporeans? Our young people must seek regional working experience. Many major companies already require their senior executives to understand overseas markets. Without that, they cannot progress to become head of the companies. While programmes like the National University of Singapore (NUS) Overseas Colleges (NOCs) and the GRTP allow for meaningful internships, we need our youths to pursue full-time job overseas. I hope that we can harness the strength of our overseas trade offices and larger Singaporean companies with regional presence to build employment networks. The latter can jumpstart growing our ASEAN-ready talent. This Budget is also about addressing the needs and challenges of businesses and workers in the face of growing structural changes globally. To achieve this, we must prioritise and master lifelong learning. Minister Heng Swee Keat aptly mentioned that Singaporeans need to "reconceptualise" what learning is about, adding that they need to be prepared to learn from "anywhere from anyone at any time". While this applies to all workers, we need to pay special attention to those who started off with lower qualifications. How do we extend more comprehensive learning support beyond SkillsFuture Credit for workers who want to return to school or to upgrade themselves? Our workers and unionists are well aware of the need to continually retrain. It is vital to their livelihoods. It is made more urgent now with disruption. Most workers would not have a single linear career trajectory. They would need to be nimble and switch careers or job functions as seamlessly as possible.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join the debate. This Budget is a pro-worker Budget. By revising national enterprise schemes to focus on worker outcomes places workers' interests at the core of Government policies. I would like to discuss further on two particular themes touched on in the Budget: helping youths succeed and prioritising lifelong learning for all workers. Our younger Singaporean workers, unlike generations before theirs, face more disruptions in their work lives. In fact, they are almost certain to need multiple career and skill trampolines. Job facilitation for fresh graduates, many of whom are 26 years and below, is crucial as it sets their direction in life early. This is especially so for the students of Private Education Institutes (PEIs). The latest PEI Graduate Employment Survey found that only 47.4% of private school fresh graduates secured full-time jobs six months after graduation. This was a steep decline from 60.1% for the previous batch. They also earned less, drawing a median gross monthly salary of S$2,650, compared to graduates from the local Autonomous Universities (AUs) who earned S$3,400. We must continually review the PEIs to either enhance the skills and job value of these qualifications or to increase the students' awareness of alternative options. NTUC is prepared to assist with career navigation via its Youth Career Network platforms. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN's) growth will turn it into one of the top economic regions in the world. There are significant entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for our Singaporean workers. ASEAN can be the important second wing of growth for our economy.”
“I thank the Minister for his clarification. I would like to ask that while we have retained the Bolam test for the diagnosis and treatment, that has provided clarity, but a significant issue is the Modified Montgomery Test, and that has created a lot of confusion on the ground. Would the Ministry then consider having it into the Statutes, so that it makes things a lot clearer? And what is the Senior Minister of State's view on the implications on clinical practice till the day we get clarity on this test?”
“It has been suggested in some research that, for drug addicts, their isolation from society for a period of time, where they go cold turkey, might make recovery easier. Those who enter the DRC track have a whole host of other challenges to manage. They must find a job, go for urine tests, and learn how to say "no" to friends who ask them to do drugs again. So, are we prepared to also explore a policy whereby both imprisonment sentences and DRC work hand-in-hand in order to achieve a better longer-term outcome? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a more rehabilitative approach for drug abusers shows that we are prepared to evolve our anti-drug measures for even better outcomes. Yet, we must balance this carefully. People who are tempted to try and who become addicted to drugs, are robbed of the opportunity to live life to the fullest. Families lose their livelihood. Children suffer. Let us ensure that our top priority is still a zero-tolerance anti-drug policy. With this, I support the Bill.”
“And second, if an offender commits drug and unrelated criminal offences sequentially but within a short timeframe, would he still be eligible for EDSO? The move towards greater focus on rehabilitation recognises that we must focus on helping the offender to kick the habit as a longer-term outcome. Yet, we must calibrate this against the potential harm to society as well. There are two important points in the anti-drugs policy. One, to prevent would-be offenders from getting started on drugs. Two, to deter repeat offenders. Under the non-custodial EDSO regime, how can we position this publicly so that it is not seen as a light-touch approach for young people wanting to experiment with drugs? For the drug offenders, the term "LT" or "Long Term Imprisonment" is much feared. The punishment of long minimum imprisonment sentences and mandatory caning can deter addicts from continuing their habits. I have often heard from offenders at my Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) or even when I was a Police Officer that they will tell me "No more drugs already, next time it is LT." It also protects society from potential harm from sustained demand for drugs feeding a drug market. Under the proposed amendments, a repeat offender who does not commit other criminal offences would only go through the DRC regime without LT. By removing the threat of LT from these drug offenders, would this send a conflicting signal from our zero-tolerance policy? Would MHA consider setting a cap on the number of times an offender can go for the DRC regime before LT sets in? In addition, is the time limit of one year in DRC for first-time abusers too short or can we consider longer sentences for subsequent offences? Furthermore, we know that offenders in jail must follow rules and adhere to a rigid regime.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate. The world drug situation remains challenging. Every country is affected by the scourge of drugs. In some countries, it has, in fact, worsened. Singapore is a transport hub. We can expect ourselves to be repeatedly targeted by syndicates as a transit point as well as a market for illicit drugs. The need to protect Singapore from drugs is even more critical now. While I welcome the amendments to the MDA, we must ensure that, first, there must be no softening of Singapore's anti-drug zero-tolerance stance. And second, that a more finely calibrated rehabilitation approach will be useful in addressing our drug situation in the longer run. This is a careful balance to manage but critical if we are to continually improve our drug situation. First, we must ensure that we continue our zero-tolerance approach to drugs. We have adopted a comprehensive and consistent approach to tackling both drug supply and demand. It has worked for us. In 2015, the number of drug abusers arrested comprised less than 0.1% of our population. Would-be and current drug offenders know that the consequences are dire, whether the offences are committed in Singapore or overseas. Yet, a no-compromise approach to drugs does not mean that we cannot and should not evolve towards better means of improving the overall drug situation. The proposed amendments are founded upon distinguishing between abusers who only consume drugs and those who concurrently commit other offences of harm to society. I would like to seek a couple of clarifications. First, what are these offences of harm to society?”
“] Mr Speaker, Sir, since we introduced PWM, we have successfully reversed the downward spiral of our cleaners' wages. Through the efforts of the tripartite partners, former Minister Lim Swee Say and my fellow NTUC colleague Mr Zainal Sapari, a solid foundation has been laid for our cleaners. Upon this very strong foundation, we can continue to seek more benefits for our workers. The mandatory PWM Bonus can further increase the wage of our workers and promote fairer sharing of profits between employers and their workers. Although there might be sporadic cost increases, it will spur employers to adopt technology to improve productivity. We, as consumers, also have the responsibility to ensure that outsourced cleaning contracts must stay relevant. Not only do we want value for money but also treat our cleaners fairly. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the way ahead is one where we must continue to build on the efforts of the Tripartite Committee on Cleaning. We must strengthen PWM and not undermine it with our consumption habits. The PWM Bonus is a step in the right direction in helping our workers. With this, I support the Bill.”